Pope Francis is spending the day in relaxation before his scheduled meetings with government leaders on Saturday. He will also be delivering a speech to Mongolian priests and missionaries during his visit to Mongolia. This historic trip marks the first time a pontiff has visited the reclusive nation, which has strained relations with China. The visit aims to engage with the small Catholic community in Mongolia.
Sept. 1 (UPI) — Pope Francis made history today as he arrived in Mongolia, becoming the first pontiff to visit the country. The visit is part of a three-day trip that seeks to connect with Catholics in this once-communist nation amidst growing tensions with China.
After a long flight from Rome, the 86-year-old pontiff landed in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. He was greeted at Chinggis Khaan airport by foreign minister Battsetseg Batmunkh in a formal yet brief welcoming ceremony. As part of the ceremony, a Mongolian woman in traditional attire offered Pope Francis a cup of yogurt, following an ancient tradition.
Pope Francis has a busy schedule ahead, including meetings with government leaders and a speech to Mongolian priests and missionaries. He will also meet with Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, the head of the Mongolian Catholic Church. It is worth noting that the Chinese Communist Party banned Chinese bishops and lay Catholics from traveling to Mongolia during the pope’s visit. However, special permission was granted for the pope’s plane to fly over Chinese airspace after Pope Francis sent an in-flight blessing to President Xi Jinping.
Mongolia, located between Russia and China, is a multiparty democracy with a small Catholic population. Despite the limited number of Catholics in the country, the pope’s visit is highly anticipated and regarded as a significant event by the Catholic community in Mongolia. The nation shares a border with China, but formal relations between the two countries have not been established, except for a 2018 agreement that aimed to regulate the number of Catholic bishops in Mongolia.
Pope Francis referred to Mongolia as a “land of silence” before his departure, emphasizing the vastness and significance of the country. While he did not directly address the challenges with China, he mentioned the importance of humor in navigating world diplomacy. Furthermore, the pope dismissed recent criticism from conservative American Catholics regarding proposed reforms aimed at inclusivity in the Catholic Church.
Mongolia adopted a new Constitution guaranteeing religious freedom during its 1990 revolution, which ended decades of communist rule under the Soviet Union. This led to the return of Catholic missionaries to the country.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
